Thai Cabinet cuts 60-day visa exemption to 30 or 15 days and approves swift deportation rules

The Thai Cabinet has officially approved a rollback of the 60-day visa exemption scheme, reducing the standard entry stamp for tourists and short-term visitors to 30 or 15 days.

According to Deputy Government Spokesperson Ploythalay Luksamesangchan, who announced the decision on July 14, the reduction aims to close loopholes exploited by transnational criminal gangs and scammers, as reported by Thai PBS and Thai Newsroom.

In a parallel move to tighten immigration enforcement, the cabinet also approved new regulations to expedite the deportation of foreigners who break Thai laws, according to the Bangkok Post and Pattaya Mail.

The exact duration of the new visa-free stamp will depend on the traveler's nationality, though the specific country lists have not yet been released.

What this means for you

If you live in Thailand on a long-term visa—such as a Non-Immigrant O (Retirement/Marriage), LTR, or the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)—your current stay permit remains valid under standard immigration policy. However, if you rely on visa-exempt entries or frequent border runs, your planning needs to change.

Here is what we know so far:

• Shorter stays: The 60-day visa-free entry is being cancelled. Depending on your passport, you will soon receive either a 30-day or 15-day stamp upon arrival.
• Fewer eligible countries: The Bangkok Post reports that several countries will be dropped from the visa-exemption list entirely, though the final list is pending.
• Stricter enforcement: The simultaneous approval of swift deportation rules signals a zero-tolerance approach for foreigners caught violating Thai law.

Next steps

Because this is a cabinet approval, the new rules are not yet in force. They will become law only after being officially published in the Royal Gazette.

Until the official publication, immigration officers at airports and land borders will continue issuing stamps based on the current regulations. If you are flying into Thailand in the coming weeks, monitor official channels closely and consider applying for a formal tourist visa in advance if you need a guaranteed 60-day stay.